By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Price includes everything but tax and title -- there was no separate dealer prep charge.
CR-V has a great reliability record, flexible cargo/passenger loading, and lots of nice touches. Disc brakes standard now, roof rails, good stuff.
Forester has even more comprehensive equipment levels, full-time AWD, and sporty handling. Reliability is well above average and whatever concern you have ought to be appeased by the longer warranty.
Obviously I'm very interested to see how they counter-punch Honda. You gotta love competition, they'll keep getting better and better.
That Pilot sketch looks good. Nice and boxy, which is practical. I like it. If I can get an EX for $30 grand, well, I just might.
-juice
The Forester does offer a couple features you can't get on the CR-V (leather, heated seats), but overall we liked the CR-V better. We also live in Minnesota, so AWD was important, but the CR-V's RT4WD will be just fine. Even up here you don't really need 4WD very often, I hardly ever turn it on in my truck. And if it's a problem then we can always get dedicated snow tires.
Besides the size we just liked the CR-V better...no real specific reason, we just did.
Did you try an S Premium? That moonroof is enormous, and does take away some of the height of the cargo bay.
Either way, your last paragraph says it all. It may be hard to quantify, but you obviously picked the right vehicle for you.
-juice
Rictom: I bought the car from Piedmont Honda at Anderson, SC. Learned from this board, I sent emails to about 20 dealers around SC,NC and GA area. 6 replied with quote, seems it is still high demand car so not much dealer want to reply.
One dealer from NC(they do not want me give out name because of high demand and low supply)send me a quote $18310 for 2002LX 2wd without any accessories. But they do not have the color I wanted. My local dealer at anderson quote me $19.3 for the same car with the dark blue color.
So I called them and negotiated price by phone.It cost almost one day with more than 10 times calling up and back. Finally they agree to match NC dealer's price and added a mud guard and hand paint stripe ( they ask $200 for strips originally). So from my experience, email or fax method does help for beginning. And becasue now the supply is still lower than demand so it not really easy to get good deal. If you can wait I think next Feb or Apr will have good choice to get better deal. Hope this helps.
Varmit: H and A accessories confirmed receiver need be installed on 2002 model before programming. But is that difficult to install? Can I do it myself or have to ask dealer to do it? My local dealer ask $135 just for labor of install
Strager, My 02 rides smooth and quiet on city streets. Noise does increase significantly over 60 from the tires, very little wind noise though.
Just installed aftermarket fog light. Pilot 1074B from Autozone. Its a slim rectangle with clear glass slightly yellow/blue tinted. Controls are Pilot remote kit bot on Ebay.
The whole set up is less than $50. Its a bit cheap but factory fogs are too much trouble to install, don't want to pay $400 for it installed.
I had a hard time choosing round vs rectangle fog lights. I really like large clear round ones but rectangle seem to match the newV facia better.
Also installed front mud guards today. Mail order from H and A. Those guys have the best price and received in 6 days.
Will post photo in a few days.
Congratulations on your new 02 Cr-v. You are really getting a great deal on your mpg's...I have an AT EX and the low fuel light comes on at 264-274 miles. (getting 23 mpg on average). I had a '98 CR-V and usually the light came on at 295-300 miles.
If someone has a new '02, would you please share your experience...
Atthebeach - Congrats! Do keep us posted on your mileage. The 96-01 5 speeds typically averaged slightly better than the automatics, but the 02 models are listed with lower EPA figures. Itll be good to read some real world numbers.
Atuzai - Sorry. Mine is a 99. Ive never done any install work on an 02. Since they are just making it into the hands of customers, its going to take a while before people start posting their experiences. Keep an eye on the CR-V IX. Thats where most people post install instructions.
K103 - If thats a characteristic of the tires, then your dealer should be able to reproduce with another CR-V. If you ride in another CR-V and the sound doesnt happen, get him to swap the tires. If you need to buy new ones, try the tire rack. Or just buy a set of these:
It sure seems to be bigger to me than the Forester on the inside but I think the For. has more glass.
Dave
Traded in 96 Explorer Sport 2 dr and some thoughts:
EX Auto - plenty of power and pick up = Explorer's
500 Miles this week and 2nd tank 23+ MPG with city & highway mileage- way better than Ford
Seats take some getting used to but getting more comfy as I spend time in them- I had the power seat in Explorer which was one of Fords best- they made them cheaper after 96
Very quiet ride with awsome brakes-
Sound system is good- not the best bur for the $ its fine
Would I buy another CRV - without hesitation- My wife took my Acura CL 2 door and I use the V- since the Explorer was her vehicle-
Shes happy with the CL
I'm happy with the V
And my sons happy with his Accord EXL
Total Honda Family
Yeah, I like large round fog lights too. I am actually waiting for aftermarket bull bar or bumper guard for 02' V, so that I can mount large round fog lights on it. It may be take a while for the aftermarket to catch up though. I may just buy some cheap fog lights for now.
Looking through this board, pricing seems to be fairly dispersed. Some (thorsen and kelryhs) claim to be getting $500-$700 over invoice. Others just a couple hundred off MSRP. Were these $500-$700 over invoice deals flukes, or is this widely achievable? I realize that the email/fax method is the way to go, but I don't want to even try if it's unlikely to get me in at $700 over invoice for an EX, as I have a limited budget.
Any comments would be quite helpful to me and probably others.
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/scname2002/vwp?.dir=/CRV02&.src=ph&.dnm=pilot+1074b+fog.jpg
Hope this link works
I'm comparing LX+Side Airbag+Remote Keyless VS EX.
no 4WD, RWD only. I guess we really haven't used the 4WD since last winter and my wife drives the Suzy 95% of the time. Anyway, I know this is a CR-V board but does anyone have an answer for me? I suppose I'll check the fluid levels in both the front differential and transfer case. BTW, 4wd-Lo didn't engage either. Transfer case lever seems to move into it's various positions ok and the manual hubs seem ok too. I'd really like to buy a few more months with this vehicle before we spring for a new CR-V so if any of you knowledgeable folks can help, or point me in the right direction to get help, it would be much appreciated.
Mike
My problem with CR-V continues. I took it to the dealer, and all they did was wheelbalancing, claimed both front wheels were out of balance by 1/4 oz (or whatever that means). All this did was move the streering wheel vibration point from 80Km/h to 90km/h. Actually, I can feel the mild vibration all the way from 40Km/h, going away at around 110+ Km/h.
When I first took it to the dealer, first guy test drives it and tells me he can't find anything wrong with my CR-V. But I insisted there were problems, so he got his service dept. manager come out and test drive, a bit longer too. Then the service dept. manager tells me that he does feel some minor vibration like I described, then orders for wheel balancing and wheel bearin check (for my complaints on wheel noise).
OK, the problem isn't so severe that someone who just steps into the car would notice it right away. But these guys are supposed to be trained technicians, they should know CR-Vs better than I do, maybe just not my CR-V ?? I know there's something wrong with my CR-V, because I did cross check against my friends' 4 year old CR-V beat up CR-V. Isn't it weird that my CR-V is MUCH more noisy than his? The technician simply tells me I got new tires and he got old ones, so mine should be louder. Come on. I can differentiate between tire noise and wheel noise, at least. Yet, neither of these guys are willing to acknowledge that there are problems. So from their point of view, I'm making false claims on a perfectly good car.
Now this is becoming really annoying. I picked CR-V because I wanted the best small SUV out there, and was quite certain buying a Honda would be easier than others. Well, I was dead wrong. I had gone through more problems than I had with others, but I was willing to go through them since all I wanted was a good vehicle worth the price I'm paying for (~CDN $35K on the road, with accessories and extended warranty).
Now I'm not happy with my CR-V and the technicians won't agree with my reports on problems (wheel noise and streering wheel vibration). What should I do? I'm so frustrated. Well, customers are supposed to believe what technicians say, and I'm almost convinced that these technicians are TRAINED to ignore problems like mine so that customers are convinced that they don't have any problems! No wonder Hondas are good! Maybe I'm exaggerating but this is really the way I feel right now.
Maybe I have a lemon. Maybe my CR-V fell through Honda's tough quality check procedure. Whatever it is, Honda should do something about it, but I can't think of what to do next.
Started off wanting the Impreza WRX Wagon. Test drove it and I can tell you that everything you have read about it is true. Handles and accelerates like a Formula 1 car. The back seat room was the deal breaker for this car. My 9 year old son barely had enough room.
Went to the LLBean Outback. Again the driving experience was wonderful. However, I am 6'3" and my head was bumping the headliner because Subaru doesn't sell them without a moonroof. If Subaru offered this model without a moonroof, I would be driving one today even with the price differential between it and the CRV.
As a last ditch effort, I test drove a 4 cylinder Outback without a moonroof on Friday. Again the feeling of not "fitting" in this car. The roofline comes down so far that it felt like I was ducking to see out of the windshield. The attempt to change over from 4 Hondas in a row was officially over.
Visited a local Honda dealer and sat in a green LX and a black EX. What a difference in interior space between the CRV and the Subaru family. The Subies felt claustrophobic, while the Hondas feel open and airy.
The best they would do was $200 under MSRP and a 10% reduction on options. So, I called the dealer where we purchased our last three Hondas, including my wife's 97 CRV. He quoted me $600 under MSRP because we were repeat customers. I tried to get him down some more when I stopped in to sign papers. They won't budge because of demand. No production date yet so it may be until early February. Just hope my 1990 Accord can make it that long.
BTW, chose Green with Saddle interior over Silver with Black interior. I don't find the plastic color (caramel?) offensive at all and the fabric on the EX is acceptable, IMO. Thought the black interior plastic would be a dust and heat magnet. Plus I've always wanted this combination of colors. Kind of like British Racing Green.
Day 6 of ownership and the motor is really starting to loosen up, it spools up very quickly only a couple 100 miles to go before I can start to let her crank up to redline-- it is a honda motor after all! The 5 spd is much tighter than previous accords and civic shifters.
Dave
Good luck and let us know what happens.
these "certified" mechanics are no beter than any mechanic. there is usually one really good mechanic and he gets to do all the sophisticated work, while others are just grease monkeys. i have heard stories of these mechanics putting CR-V's on the emissions dynos that are for the front wheel drive cars only. only owner intervention saved the dealership from buying a new cr-v for this guy. or mechanics not knowing that there IS an under hood fuse box, besides the cabin fuse box. lots of stories, at least in NYC.
My observations are as follows: The vehicle is built very well {like a brick outhouse}, It has more than enough power and pickup with the A/C going. It stops and rides smooth, the seats are comfortable I am 5'11 1/2 and I raised the seat height as far as it can go and moved the drivers seat back to its stops and I was comfortable. I would have liked another 2or 3 inches of rail but nothing is perfect. Maybe a person 6'5 may have a problem. I like the sun roof, the radio and the heating and A/C controls and the amount of storage space in this vehicle. To me the mirrors are positioned well and I know that some of you said that in order to see out the back you had to remove the headrest it did not bother me at all. The rear window is smaller than I am used to but even with the temp. plate in the lower corner I can see the traffic. The rear seats are spacious and I like my saddle interior. When I had to buckle up I have to raise the armrest in order to seat the buckle thats the only negative thing I found in 3 days of driving. I thought the shift and parking brake would be awkward it took me about 2 mins. to get used to this configuration. Honda did a good job with the owners manual it shows you how to do most of the maintenance. This would be ideal for new car owners that are not familiar with maint. procedures. I am amazed at the extended service Honda recommends for plugs, oil, coolant etc. They must have faith in this vehicle. I only hope it goes to 100,000 without to much aggravation. Well thats about all I can say maybe this feedback can help some of you. I do have one question for anyone that is knowledgable. I want to add a security system should I go with Honda? or afermarket like Viper or a bypass? I wiil use new wiring. I am concerned with voiding the warranty if I install anything but Honda. Thanks in advance...
1. front mud guards- should I get them? the dealer including a service person didn't seem to know anything about the hole up into the engine in the front wheel wells.
2. My dealer told me to use the severe maintenance schedule. does this seem reasonable? according to the owners manual I think I fit under the normal schedule.
3. does this vehicle have a timing belt? I couldn't find it in the maintenance booklet?
thanks for your help
jeff
tidester
Host
SUVs
Ohiogreg - They just don't build cars for big folks anymore. I'm 6'1 myself, but I've buddies who are in the 6'4" range (and not a one of us can play basketball). Back in 99, the CR-V was the only vehicle with enough room both up front and in back.
just fine. I clamped the hanger on the horizontal dividers, avoiding drilling screw holes through it.
Clamps are home made, still looking for better clamps.
Inkie. My EX arrived at Houston dealer November 30, built date November 1, last 4 digit serial number in the 71XX range. What's yours'?
Jbhiker...There's a steel timing chain , no belt to replace. I bought front spash guards even though I do not see a need. The plastic running along the side bottom does a fine job protecting the paint.
scname You will have to forgive me I went down to the garage to check the vin # this time with my glasses on and double checked the made date due to your 71xx #. My made date was 11/01 instead of 10/11 and the last four digits are 90xx. Does that mean they produced a few thousand CRV's around that date?
Some reports say it's Honda's MDX, others say it's larger.
http://www.motortrend.com/news/stories/011214fl.html
And another:
http://autonet.ca/AutonetStories/stories.cfm?storyID=3951
And yet another:
http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2002/detroit/preview/honda-pilot/index.html
Lastly, many more here:
http://www.google.com/search?q="honda+pilot"+suv&hl=en
Ford has lousy quality, especially in its new vehicles. If I recall correctly, a Ford exec recently admitted their quality was among the worst available.
The 2002 CR-V did not come in #2. Unless you are privy to tests not listed on Edmunds, the only test that the Escape twins won was the one w/o any CR-V and it was for 2001 models. In fact, Edmunds has not yet done a full road test on the 2002 CR-V or the 2002 Escape twins for that matter.
Edmunds did, however, note the Escape's "shoddy build quality" in its Buyers Guide.
Operation: Runs lowbeams at 75% power when enginer is running (not tail lights or side markers). When you switch lights on, the low beams go to 100%. If you click on brights they work as expected. When you shut off engine lights stay on for about 5 extra seconds.
Nice device that makes me feel safer during day time on back roads.
As for the timing belt, it is a timing chain, thats why you don't need a tune-up until 110,000 miles. It was nice to see that honda finally went to the chain. I hope that helps.
That Pilot looks pretty darn good. I like that it's boxier, beefier looking than the MDX. We'll see how pricing goes, but I will check one out for sure.
So I'm going to wait and check out the 2003 Forester, the Pilot, the Vue, the Vibe, the Mazda 6 wagon, the 3.0l MPV, you name it. Choices are only getting better and more abundant.
Also, I heard Mazda is putting a 5 speed JATCO auto tranny in the MPV with the Duratec, so there's no reason to think the same tranny would not fit in the Tribute. If so, it replace what is, in my opinion, the weak link in the Tribute powertrain, the Ford CD4E tranny. Hope so.
-juice
Utopia - Yep, the Tribute certainly has a number of advantages over the '02 CR-V. I tend to agree that it's the best looking small SUV around. Here's a couple of things that I would consider, if I were in your shoes (and knowing what I know about the two vehicles).
V6 - What do you want/need it for? Speed? Towing? Because the words "4 cyl" leave a bad taste in your mouth (hey, some poeple just don't like em).
Reliability - Are you sure you're going to be driving this car for ten years? If not, then reliability may not be an issue. On the other hand, doesn't the volume of reports regarding problems for the Tribape tell you something? I mean, every vehicle with have problems. Even the CR-V and RAV4. But I've read way too many reports about consistent problems that have yet to be fixed. In many cases, the stalling issue has been corrected with a new part. But that part is an identical design to the one that was in there before. So it looks like a quality issue rather than a design problem. In fact, many of last year's recalls were problems with the quality of parts. What does that tell you?
MPG - Is this a factor for you? Many, many Tripabe owners have reported low mileage. It's even been remarked on by publications like C&D and AutoWeek (they normally never report on this sort of anecdotal stuff, so it must have consistent). Where's the price of gas going over the next ten years?
Center console - What do you want it for? Will the two large compartments in the CR-V's center stack work just as well?
Crashes - Is occupant safety in a crash a big concern? Is bumper protection a factor? Both have their individual strong points in these tests.
Bob